Rating: 
Summary: One of her best books for sure!
Review: I have read all Anne McCaffrey's books and this book, "Crystal Singer" is one of my favorites. I get so turned off by the predominately male oriented writing style of most of the good science fiction writers. I find Anne McCaffrey's writing style to be very refreshing and having a female main character is outstanding! I can really feel what Killashandra is feeling as I read the story, it almost comes alive in my mind the way the author breathes life into her characters. The male characters as well as the female characters are given equal roles in Anne McCaffrey's books and "Crystal Singer" is no exception!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully imaginative and a female lead you can look up to
Review: I love Anne McCaffrey because she is a wonderfully imaginative writer, and this book is no exception. You can identify with the characters and dream about the world they inhabit. I would highly recommend this book along with the other two in the series. Killashandra Ree is definitely the kind of woman we need to see more of in fiction.
Rating:
Summary: If you are lucky, you can be a Crystal Singer. At a price.
Review: I think this is my favourite Anne McCaffrey.
Here, in the first of the Crystal Singer trilogy, she tells the story of
Killashandra, a soon-to-be graduate of music and voice, who realises she has no future in her chosen career.
After a whirlwind romance and with nothing to lose, she leaves for
the planet of those who cut the crystals used for starship power, communications,
and all kinds of useful things.
McCaffrey's writing style brings lumps to the throat, tears to the eyes and beating to the heart.
Experiencing the danger and the excitement of life in the most dangerous, yet rewarding,
jobs in the galaxy is something you really don't want to miss.
Rating:
Summary: The book that started it all
Review: I was given this book by a friend during summer break from college. I was desperate for something to read, and even though I didn't think I liked science fiction, I decided to read it. Thus began a life long love of science fiction and more notably, Anne McCaffrey, possibly the greatest (and most prolific) writer on the planet. The universe she creates in Crystal Singer is like those in all her books... not a perfect place to live, but certainly a bright light for the future of mankind. And also like most Anne books, the main character is a strong, vibrant, woman who has overcome adversities and made a wonderful life for herself. And although the book is not overly scientific, she always has enough interesting scientific concepts to make it a fun read. If you've never read an Anne McCaffrey book, buy one and enter the world of Anne. You won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: The book that started it all
Review: I was given this book by a friend during summer break from college. I was desperate for something to read, and even though I didn't think I liked science fiction, I decided to read it. Thus began a life long love of science fiction and more notably, Anne McCaffrey, possibly the greatest (and most prolific) writer on the planet. The universe she creates in Crystal Singer is like those in all her books... not a perfect place to live, but certainly a bright light for the future of mankind. And also like most Anne books, the main character is a strong, vibrant, woman who has overcome adversities and made a wonderful life for herself. And although the book is not overly scientific, she always has enough interesting scientific concepts to make it a fun read. If you've never read an Anne McCaffrey book, buy one and enter the world of Anne. You won't be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Gag! Glech!
Review: I'll admit right now that I went about reading this book the wrong way. First off, I learned the plot from a sanitized comic-book version when I was 12. Then I read _Kilshandra_, a book I considered ridiculous, but fun to read. Only then did I start in on _The_Crystal_Singers_. I didn't finish. Not only was the science vague and nonsensical-- forgiveable for storytellers-- but the characters reacted like badly-sculpted high-school automatons in a soap opera. Kilshandra's characterization was ludicrous as the perfect heroine, and everyone else just acted silly and stupid. Bad, bad, bad. I don't have anything against McCaffrey, but if she put out other books like this, I soon will.
Rating:
Summary: The Worst Book in the World
Review: If I could give this book zero stars, I would. Believe me. Crystal Singer is filled with an anti-climatic plot, one dimensional characters, and predictability. Killashandra has no personality - she just is because McCaffrey willed her to be - and neither do any of the other putrid characters that step across the stage in this book. The plot has a beginning...but no middle...and no end. McCaffrey attempts some climax - in the Crystal Ranges, the installion of Crystal - but the story is just so predictable (of course we ALL know she's going to become a Crystal Singer. That's what ALWAYS happens in this type of plot) that any attempt at writing something exciting or worthwhile or even profound falls short of even McCaffrey (and she certainly is an excellent writer, don't get me wrong. But her dragon books are better)All in all, this book is a labor to get through, and not a worthwhile read at all.
Rating:
Summary: The tale of Killashandra's adventures on an alien world.
Review: Killashandra is a character compatible with most of her readers with her reactions to the turmoil caused in her life when she leaves the music Centre as a result to having been turned down as a top class singer. When she meets a Crystal singer from the far off world of Ballybran, she is desperate enough to leave life as she knows it behind and journey to become a crystal singer on a world from which she may never return. The story progresses from there, describing Killashandra's reactions to and adventures on Ballybran as she becomes a successful crystal singer. A potent and most readable novel.
Rating:
Summary: Killashandra Ree (by stardustraven)
Review: Killashandra Ree, music student on the planet Fuerte, who after failing her final exams quits with her singing career (she simply won't be second rank!). A chance meeting with a crystal singer of the Heptite Guild of Ballybran, induces her to apply as a crystal singer. Killashandra's training and initiation into the Guild make for a riveting read. Ms. McCaffrey shows off her usual skill in world building, in defining the Crystal Guild and Ballybran. Killashandra's strong personality, resourcefulness, intelligence, musical training, her easy transition to the Ballybran spore and her affinity to the rare black crystal make her an asset to the Guild. Killashandra belongs to the most memorable of Anne McCaffrey's heroines. Right from the first page she became intensely alive for me (I really felt her disappointment and joys), as does her first great love the fascinating and enigmatic guild master Lanzecki. Beautifully Anne McCaffrey describes the singing of crystal itself. The idea of whole crystal ranges singing back at you was very poetic (see for instance the effect of singing black crystal on Killashandra). A wonderful first volume!
Rating: 
Summary: The Lure of Crystal...
Review: My first encounter with Anne McCaffrey may very well be the best. "Crystal Singer" is an engrossing book, with a very headstrong and admirable female character. By the time her new direction in life is setup and put into motion, I was totally entranced with the book and simply could not put it down. The characters, both male and female, are well fleshed out, and her rise from a rejected opera student to a full fledged crystal singer is a fascinating journey to embark on. The premise for the book - singing and cutting crystal - is unusual and well presented. There is a definite otherworldly flavor to the book as it has a strong sci fi theme that does not assault the reader with too much techno babble, thus its an enjoyable book for the diehards and the casual alike. As the first of a trilogy, its delightful, but also stands alone well with its satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended, but with a word of warning, its nearly impossible to break away from the lure of crystal.
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